A 71-year-old U.S. citizen who went to observe immigration court proceedings in San Diego to "protect refugees" was detained by ICE agents this week.
Barbara Stone, a longtime immigrant rights volunteer, was at the courthouse to document how officers interact with asylum seekers, according to NBC San Diego. On Tuesday, she was handcuffed and held for eight hours after an agent accused her of pushing them, an allegation she denies. Video of the incident, now widely circulated, shows Stone visibly distressed as she's taken into custody. No charges have been filed.
Her husband, Gershon Shafir, called the arrest "completely baseless," describing Stone as gentle and nonviolent. She later showed NBC 7 a bruise on her arm and said the experience left her mentally and physically traumatized. Her phone was confiscated and has not been returned.
"She is the last person in the universe who would hit an agent or interfere with their work," Shafir said.
In the video, one officer can be heard warning that other volunteers could also be detained. Neither ICE nor the Federal Protective Service, which reportedly oversees courthouse agents, has issued a formal explanation.
Despite the ordeal, Stone says she intends to keep volunteering.
Originally published on Latin Times
